Now Entering Parenthood...

I meant to put this up the minute we got back from visiting Uncle “On” and Aunt “Rocky” in California, but I got distracted. Without further ado, here are our tips and tricks for what the toddler-approved activities are in the greater LA area.

GRIFFITH PARK
With Lon and Roxy living right next door, we found ourselves at this LA iconic park multiple times. More specifically, we visited a playground called Shane’s Inspiration, Travel Town Museum, and went for a hike up to Griffith Observatory. There is actually even more to do in the park, including a current zoo and an abandoned zoo, merry-go-round, pony rides, and so much more. And the best part of all… it’s all FREE.

What Simon Loved
Running up and down the big empty train cars in the Travel Town Museum, bouncing on the tracks, hearing his echo. Picking up a walking stick and venturing into the woods. And you can never go wrong with a big large playground safe to let a toddler go wild.

What Simon Didn’t Love
Having to walk for too long, especially when Mommy and Daddy wouldn’t let him venture off the track for fear of falling off the side of the mountain.

SKIRBALL CULTURAL CENTER
This place is a hdden gem for sure. You have to get tickets ahead of time, and they aren’t particularly cheap for a museum where you will only be going to one exhibit… but the Noah’s Ark exhibit is amazing and you can kill a solid few hours just in it’s four incredibly interactive rooms. Religion not required!!

What Simon Loved
Loading all the animals two by two onto a track that you could move to pull them up into the ark. Using brooms to sweep up the fake poop. Making your own storm sounds. Playing with animal puppets (actually Charlie at 5 months old LOVED the puppets and lightning even more than Simon).

What Simon Didn’t Love
Not much. He wanted so badly to climb up the ropes into the upper part of the rooms, but wasn’t old enough or coordinated enough. He also wasn’t too interested in the lady trying to make him dance like an animal. But for other kids, it would be great.

LA BREA TAR PITS
This museum was incredibly small and far too much money when considering all the amazing free LA activities. It might be worth a visit if you are nearby, just to walk the grounds. Or if you have an older kid really into fossils. But in general it’s a pretty skippable stop. 

What Simon Loved
Running around in the big open spaces outside. Climbing the giant staircase to get a look at the trees on the roof. Hiding in the jurassic sized plants in the gardens.

What Simon Didn’t Love
Having to stay away from those interesting looking bones and stuffed animals. Blocked only by velvet ropes which seem pretty easy to get around, except mom and dad keep pulling me away.

CALIFORNIA SCIENCE CENTER
Huge, interesting to adults and kids alike and OMG… FREE!! I don’t think I’ve ever been to a cool science center that was free, let alone one this awesome. We only got to explore the Ecosystems and Living World exhibits, but that was enough. Good for kids of all ages (well, except maybe Charlie’s age, but even then they had designated “family” rooms with puppets and puzzles and things to chew).

What Simon Loved
Jumping on the big bed in the Blues Clues looking Family Discovery Room. Building puzzles with puppets. Running around. Touching a giant ice wall. Watching a flash flood, waves, giant fish. Seeing bugs eating away at rotting dirt. Standing in front of a giant wind machine.

What Simon Didn’t Love
There is a good number of exhibits that are too tall, too complicated, or too boring for a 2 year old… microscopes, movies. But there were so many that were enjoyable that I am having a hard time remember what was bad.

SANTA MONICA PIER & BEACH
This was one of the few places I had been before. I knew I wanted to come back, but didn’t know how much time we could really kill here. The answer = pretty much the whole day. Between the beach, the playgrounds, the rides, the shops, and the pier itself… you can do a lot. And we didn’t even get to the giant carousel or the aquarium.

What Simon Loved
Running up and down the pier chasing pigeons and listening to his feet on the wood. Cheesy rides where he could control the plane he was in moving up and down. Free stuff like the sand, the sun, and the ocean… especially running in the sun to throw clumps full of muddy sand in the ocean. Good thing we had extra clothes.

What Simon Didn’t Love
Having to walk for very long up and down the beach because the stroller sure wasn’t cutting it in the sand. Simon also really wanted to figure out the paid binoculars, but couldn’t understand how to close one eye and look through the eye piece with the other.

DISNEYLAND
The mother of all childhood experiences. Does it work for a 2 year old? Answer is a resounding YES. Disneyland pretty much works for everyone. Our top Disneyland moments included meeting Mickey Mouse and watching Simon’s face as we went through some amazing rides. He got so excited by the end that he would say “more ride” the minute we got off one.

What Simon Loved
Who knew, but Simon LOVED Mickey Mouse. He gave him a big hug, he honked his nose and tried to touch his eye. He was super shy and happy and then very adoring. Simon also loved all the colors, sounds, movement, music, spectacle. He loved the rides… Small World, Buzz Lightyear, Haunted Mansion.

What Simon Didn’t Love
Waiting!! And worse yet, rides becoming broken after you waited. We minimized wait times by arriving early, using fast passes, having a wait time app. We made the waits we did have enjoyable with snacks and having entertaining stuff to look at (videos on phones help). But in the end you have to balance rides with run around and explore time, or you will have an unhappy toddler.

FINALLY… DETROIT METRO AIRPORT
I hadn’t even really thought about it until looking through my videos, but Simon LOVED the airport. Detroit McNamara Terminal is a real winner. Not only do you have a giant tram, but endless series of moving walks, and who doesn’t love that psychedelic light up tunnel. Simon and I got to spend a good hour here by ourselves killing time while Tom ran back to the house to get his forgotten cell phone before our flight. Yeah DTW!!